Giorgos Giakoumakis was the match-winner as Celtic came dangerously close to throwing away another two valuable points up at McDiarmid Park this afternoon.
Celtic certainly weren’t helped in the second half when the assistant referee flagged anything in green and white for the entire second 45 minutes, notably flagging Giakoumakis offide when the Greek striker headed home from an O’Riley free-kick. It looked like it was only his arm that was off, and that doesn’t count.
And James Forrest was disgracefully flagged when going through on the keeper, despite being at last a yard onside.
St Johnstone had created nothing until the last twenty minutes when they took the game to Celtic. Joe Hart saved from Stevie May as Celtic’s composure seemed to evaporate, with the three defensive midfielders introduced from the bench failing to shore up the Celtic defence that was perhaps the intention. Aaron Mooy in particular stuggled coping with the pace of the game.
Yet after conceding what looked like a devastating equaliser two minutes into the five added, It was excellent work from James McCarthy and Alexandro Bernabei that allowed the Argentinian left-back to get the byeline and fire in a low cross for the Greek striker to hit home and win the match for the Champions who go five points clear at the top of the league looking down on theRangers.
2️⃣ goals in 7️⃣0️⃣ seconds 😲
How the chaotic final minutes of St Johnstone v Celtic unfolded 👇 pic.twitter.com/bQ4s5CKi9G
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) October 8, 2022
UNBELIEVABLE!! 🤯
After St Johnstone equalise in injury time, Giakoumakis goes the other end and scores the winner for Celtic!! pic.twitter.com/SscALgQWWq
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) October 8, 2022
Giakoumakis gives the Celts all 3 points! 🔥#STJCEL | #cinchPrem | #COYBIG🍀 pic.twitter.com/H8M6vYGtJT
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) October 8, 2022
